"People are often unreasonable, irrational and self centered; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you; be honest and sincere. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight; create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten; do good anyway. Give the best you have and it may never be enough; give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Theresa

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Building Bridges


Giving light to others. Pretty simple. Have you ever wondered what goes on in someone else brain? What's really in someone's heart? We all see things physically and the actions of others and based on that, we think that is enough to judge. We think that is enough to know what's on the inside.

My mom had told me a story a week ago and it's got me thinking about things that fall into that category.

While at church, my mom was in Relief Society and there were a few visitors because of a baby blessing. Now, I don't remember exactly what the topic was that they were discussing but a visitor ended up sharing this story.

In her ward her bishop decided to dress up like a bum, hold up a homeless sign and stand out by the road right before you pull into the church parking lot. His task was to see what the members of his ward would do or say. As the Bishop stood there in his disguise, members of his ward slowly pulled in and yelled awful things to him. They yelled and mocked him. Sound familiar?
As the congregation met in the Sacrament Room, he stood up and explained that the man standing out on the road impersonating a homeless man, was actually him. They were all shocked. They couldn't believe what they had just heard and really it brought them to a new perspective. A more Christ-like perspective.

How much do you really have to see to judge someone? Whatever happened to "getting to know" someone?

{Learn of me, and listen to my words. Walk in the meekness of my light. And I shall give you peace. My love will never seize. For I am Jesus Christ.}

Point of this entry is to simply love one another. Dont judge. Some people need more love then others and if ever I come across someone that needs extra, or a someone to talk to, you better believe I will be that kind of Christ-like person that will accept anyone, even if it mean others looking at me differently. Everyone was given a life and no deserves to be treated like the way the disguised Bishop was treated. Everyone should get a chance. Everyone should try a little harder to be kind, to love, to be open minded and above all to be Christ-like.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! 2013 is an awesome year and I know that I have pulled out a beyond beautiful mix of colors for myself this year. I hope you all have done something you are proud of this year and if you have, I would say that you lived a good year.

To Tamara and Henele, I love you two so much. Mommy can't comprehend the amount of trust that Lord has put in me with the two of you underneath my wing. This Christmas, we will be happy. That's all that matters. The three of us will always stick together, just our little family and one day we will look back on these days and remember that - He is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas Tamara and Henele. You two will always me my present each and every year and I will know that I have the greatest gift of all. I Love You both!! xoxo Mom

Till Next Time. Hopefully before the new year comes.
xoxo Via

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The Upside and The Downside

Things lately have been very... whats the word, overwhelming. School, Work, Kids, Calling and just Personal Life have been taking huge tolls on me. I feel like I have lost focus in a few vital areas of my life and I need to figure out a way to kick things back into gear. I need to grasp a way to to handle all areas and just master them all. You know, .... boss mode. lol

Anyway..

Taking all that into consideration, let us shift into the right gear of Thanksgiving. I want to share this article with you all and before you continue please read it and while you read it, open your mind and your heart to it. It just might be that little something that will lighten up your holiday season. =)

THE ARTICLE

Intense huh? It really does open your mind to the little things we take for granted each and every day. so this Thanksgiving, I want to share that I am grateful and thankful for EVERYTHING! By that I am really putting emphasis on the air that I breath to the dirt under my feet all the way to those that are out there breaking their backs to accommodate our living lifestyles and are getting paid less then minimum wage or close to nothing.

There is a lot to be thankful for and I hope that this Thanksgiving you may all take a moment to really think about the LITTLE things and be thankful for them.

Happy Thanksgiving from my little family to yours.
xoxo Via

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Trying A Little Harder

I could go on for days about how hard my parents work. They work from before the sunrise well into the night, and have been doing that my entire life. And that's not me being dramatic at all. It's actually an understatement. My parents have broken their backs, bruised, sacrificed so much for me, I honestly could never repay them. But it does give me something to aspire to. I guess you can call my parents, The Ultimate Goal. One would be so lucky to even come near my parents' bar.

I had just finished doing a few homework assignments for my math class and as I closed up shop (lock doors, close curtains etc.), I peeked out the door window and saw my mom standing at the sink in the extension. She was washing dishes. It's now just a little past 10 pm and I know my mom has put in a good few days work in just today alone. We did a few shopping trips for Willy. Paid some bills, ran errands. I just don't know how my parents do it.

Here are a few pics from earlier today while we were waiting to head out and run those errands...

As we come into this Holiday of Thanks, I want to thank my parents. My parents do more for me then I give them credit for. I am able to get through each semester of college, I am able to work, I am able to do my calling and I am even able to do things on my own time BECAUSE of my parents. They are incredible beings! Like seriously. I hope I can be as hard a worker as they are one day.

Thank You Mom and Dad for all that you do for us! We truly are grateful and appreciative of you guys and the sacrifice you guys make for our little family each and every day! Thank You!!! WE LOVE YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH!!

Tamara, Henele and Via xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all may be thankful for all that you guys have and are blessed with!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Fall 2013 - Family Time-Out


With so many things going on lately, I decided that I needed a mandatory family TIME OUT! Just us, out on the town, taking family pictures and enjoying each other outdoors. Things like this make life well worth it. It makes all our struggles, sorrows and pain at it's very least if not gone. Times like this need to be held more often. Times like this are what keeps my head together, it's simply my reminder of why I do all the things I do.

They are my reason.

Yesterday, I took the kids downtown. We enjoyed walking around Temple Square and really just getting out of the house and the valley to see things we don't get to very often. We had so much fun with these pictures!

After we went out for lunch and got burgers and salads.

It really was just a great day and I am so happy I got to spend most of it with these two!
Just see for yourself.


Happy Fall Everyone!! May your season this year be filled with happiness, joy and love! 
xoxo Via

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Try And Put My Shoes On

Updates, Updates, Updates!! I have so many to blog off and have no idea where to begin...

[Henele]

Henele is something else! He will be 2 in December which is only 2 months away! He has grown so much. I cant even come close to describing the love I have for him. He really does complete my little family. Without him there would be no fun, laughter, mess.. Really, he is just that last piece to my puzzle. I absolutely adore him! He is now talking a little. His first word was "MAWAH" which doesn't surprise me cause he is so attached to his sister. He loves Tamara and is totally her shadow. The other day they were watching tv and Tamara was sitting there staring at the tv and Henele was sitting there staring around and I could tell he wad bored, like he wanted to play but Tamara was to busy watching her show. I sit there and watch him for a minute and what does he do? He rams his head into Tamara and starts screaming "nggaaaaa-ngaaaaaa!" Like the little monster he is. Tamara kept pushing him away saying "Henele stop! go away!" But he kept at it. It was so funny to watch!

 
This is what you get when you have boys!! He does the funniest things when we take pictures.

 
When I facetime with christina or sunshine he randomly comes up on the bed and lays down and starts poking at my eye. Totally something he would do.
 
There he is taking over my facetime session with christina. lol Love this kid!
 
Here we are at Walmart. He is such a stud!
I took the kids on a bike ride the other day and we stopped off at Lees house and he wouldnt stop jumping off this tree stump.
 Here we are at Teta and Jays Football Game!! They won this game against East. =)
 
Just me and my boy!! 

[Tamara]

Oh boy! She is so smart! I cant even process how ridiculous it is. She definitely understands! She is now starting to understand her letters and their sounds and we have started to pay visits to the local library for her to start picking out some starter books. She loves to read books. Tamara is just about at that point where I no longer slap her for doing simple bad things and I rarely yell at for things that she does, She is my biggest helper when it comes to Henele and she absolutely loves her brother,The only thing I have a hard time with, is getting her to eat. She eats and when she does it's always very little. Like two bites of a sandwich or some grapes. Im beginning to think that that is just how she is. She eats little. Anytime I force her to eat more she complains that her stomach hurts. So I've been trying to incorporate different things in their meals so that I can find a better weeks menu for them.
Tamara will be 4!!!! omg its been 4 years with her!! She turns 4 in about a month on November 5. When Tamara can tell im stressing about something or when I look like im feeling down, she always comes up to me and says, "mom, i can buy you a present!" She really lightens up my days when they arent going well. I dont know what I would do without her!
 
Right before we had our hospital stay we went to the instacare. Here she is keeping it positive.

 
We stay for just about 3 days. She had Bronchitis. Here she is writing in her newly decorated notebook while she had craft time with some staff at Primary Childrens.

 
I was so into my homework that when I looked up to check on the kids I only saw Henele. I called for Tamara how many times and just about had a heart attack until I found her hiding in the bath tub.

 
She loves doing Superman!! Here we are playing around. =)

 
She picked out her next two books. One halloween one and the other about bugs. lol I let her pick them cause it makes her feel so cool. I love watching her look through the shelves. It's just the best!

[Pumpkin Patch]

I decided to take some quick pics of the kids here. It was just the right setting and the weather was in our favor. So here they are ready to pick out some pumpkins!!

 
 

[Just Me]

Where to begin. I honestly dont know how I do all the things I'm doing currently. 
1. Being a Mom - Always a full time job cause I am doing it single handedly with the exception of my incredible family!
2. My Calling - Even though I'm only the 2nd Counselor in the Primary, I sometimes feel like I carry most of the load. There was one Sunday where I was the only leader there and was in charge of about 30 to 40 kids that showed up that Sunday. I remember thinking, "great, they all decide to show up when im here alone." lol But after all was done, I know that the Lords work keeps going no matter what. There will always be a way. I am grateful for my calling, I feel like I have meaning and am useful when I go to church. 
3. School - Fall semester has been on for about 6 weeks now. I have 3 classes. Math, English and Health and Nutrition. I am enjoying all of my classes and am doing pretty well in each of them. I always try and either read ahead or finish assignments ahead so I can have cushion time for everything else.
4. Work - I just started work and am now working full time. I am back at Homewatch Caregivers and am back helping my good friend Lori. I only want to work their cause she's close and I dont feel like driving all around the valley for other clients. It makes me feel like I'm working for gas. lol
5. Upcoming Events - *We have our Primary Halloween Party on Saturday the 26th of October. This is my event I am in charge of. So I have just typed up a final draft of the agenda along with expenses. We requested a $350 check for the event and if it doesnt get approved, lets just say, I'll make it get approved. lol Cause for Easter, I ended using about $50 of my own money for things we needed and waited until after the event to get reimbursed. Which is what I love about the church. You can always get reimbursed if you spend your own money on church things. 
For the past 2 weeks they have been off and on with cough and fever and the bit. It would start with Henele then go to Tamara then back to Henele. It was like they were playing tennis with Motrin and Tylenol. It was definitely a rough 2 weeks for me cause I was constantly up and got very little sleep. But little sleep is something I am almost used to with school going on and all. So we have just begun a new week and we are well enough to make it back to church. =)
* I mentioned I was the Senior Class President of the graduating class of 2008 at good ol Granger High right? Well, this year marks our 5th year of graduating and my class has pushed for a 5 year reunion. So me and my officers have been meeting for the past month and a half to get it organized and funded. Yes, we are pretty much paying for it out of pocket and selling tickets to the class so be can get reimbursed. I have doubts that we will get our money back. So for me, I thought, oh well. I have spent about $300, Cassie has spent about $400 and Brin has put up about $700. Hopefully with tickets being sold at $15 a piece I can at least get my officers their money back. I'll take the hit for my class. 
6. Just for me - While balancing all that crap, I have decided that I deserve time to myself just to keep me sane. I can't allow myself to overdo it or overwhelm myself so to balance it all out, I do things just for me! =) I love to read books! I find myself lost in books late at night and I know I should get more sleep but most times the only time I get to get lost in a good book is late at night. Gym Time! - I have to do my best by staying healthy and fit. I find things easier to do when I keep me healthy and strong. I have more energy that way. Illnesses - I will still incorporate a healthy diet and exercise even though I have a few new illnesses. 1. I have (i forget the name) but my IT Bands, which is the muscle that wraps over your hips, well they are inflamed. All it does that bothers me really is the aching (sometimes). I am taking a anti-inflamitory medication for it called naproxen. I go to the gym and run for about 45 minutes or until my hips call it quits and really stretch out. It's the only way I can get it better. 2. I have had a stomach ulcer. Its where the walls of my stomach are rotting away so to speak. So eating for me is hard but I usually am good about finding things I can tolerate. I am on 3 other medications and antibiotics that are to help me heal. I should be on them for the next few weeks. I'll beat no problem. 
That's me. Im all over the place huh? But that's how I do it and get it done. 

 
My Current Readings! I am in love with it!
 
I turned 24 this past week! This was a gift from Mone! It was so sweet, but I couldn't eat it cause I have issues. lol
 
My 5 Year Reunion coming up! Wish me luck! [good luck!! lol]
 
The Crutches Life for only 2 days! Thanks Hips! =)
 
Jubilee had these on sale for about a week for only 1 cent! I went to Walmart and bought 100! Spent $10! Yay for couponing!
 
Smith's sale! I bought 71 (actually 134 cause I gave some away) but for the 71 I have, I spent $6.56!!
 
Hoping I dont lose too much weight with this Ulcer. I am pretty content with where I am until I get over this ulcer. 
 
The Goal is always in mind! I have replaced my "lonliness" (no current companion) with the gospel and I have never been more happier! D&C 93 has opened my eyes and has pretty much put me in my place. =)
 
I am one happy woman right now! I must be doing something right for me to be able to do all this. Not to mention blogging for the past half hour! lol 
 Because of THEM! 
xoxo Via